[W Moments by Jooseok Oh] Champagne for Innovative Leaders: BOLLINGER

[W Moments by Jooseok Oh]
Champagne for Innovative Leaders: Bollinger
Bollinger Creates the Power of Time

Enduring the Weight of Time and Moving Forward
Champagne Bollinger, a family-owned company since 1829, is a brand that embodies authenticity and craftsmanship. Centered around the concept of time, it maintains its distinctive winemaking philosophy and follows its own path. Bollinger's identity lies in its uncompromising approach to quality and the elegance of Pinot Noir, which creates an intense, refined, and complex style. Bollinger's method of adhering to tradition while responding to challenges provides valuable insights for business leaders.

Meeting Bollinger in Aÿ, the Heart of Medieval Champagne
Located in the heart of the Champagne region, in the Marne Valley, the village of Aÿ is steeped in hundreds of years of history. Home to Bollinger's headquarters, this village is famous for its high-quality Pinot Noir. As one of the 17 Grand Cru villages of Champagne, Bollinger produces its champagne here following its unique philosophy.

Visiting Bollinger was particularly special for me as a brand experience researcher. The antique stone walls of the building's exterior and the orderly atmosphere of the courtyard made a powerful first impression. In the tasting room, I encountered photographs symbolizing Bollinger's DNA. This space embodies the heritage that has sustained Bollinger's continuous innovation to this day.

The History of Bollinger and Madame Bollinger's Innovation
Bollinger's history began in 1829 when Joseph Bollinger, from Germany, established the company together with Paul Renaudin, a local from the Champagne region. Over the years, Bollinger built a solid foundation, overcoming challenges including the phylloxera crisis and two World Wars.

The most notable figure in Bollinger's history is Elisabeth Law de Lauriston-Boubers, known as "Madame Bollinger." After her husband Jacques died in 1941, she took over management at the age of 42 and became a legend in the champagne industry. With no children, she dedicated her life to Bollinger Champagne. In 1967, she launched R.D. (Récemment Dégorgé, "recently disgorged") champagne, and in 1969, she created "Vieilles Vignes Françaises" from two plots unaffected by phylloxera. These innovative products achieved great success in the market.

The Bollinger House includes vineyards with pre-phylloxera vines. During my visit, I witnessed the traditional layering technique called "provignage." This is a vivid example of how Bollinger preserves its historical heritage.

The Philosophy of Time and Quality
Bollinger's core philosophy is investing in time. When visiting the underground cellars, you can see this philosophy embodied in the collection of one million Magnum Reserve Wines, sealed with cork and agraffe, aged for up to 15 years. These reserve wines, called "aromatic bombs," make up only 5-6% of the Special Cuvée blend but dramatically change the flavor of the entire wine, "like sprinkling truffles on pasta."

Bollinger insists on aging periods far exceeding the legal minimum requirements. The Special Cuvée ages for 3-5 years instead of 15 months, and vintage champagnes age for 6-10 years instead of 3 years. They also invest 380 hours per hectare in vineyard management (compared to the industry average of 300 hours).

Bollinger is the only producer in the Champagne region to employ their own cooper to maintain oak barrels that are an average of 20 years old. Unlike most producers, they conduct malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, concentrating the wine's flavor through evaporation known as "the angels' share." This traditional method creates Bollinger's characteristic creamy texture and excellent aging potential.

The Elegance of Pinot Noir
In Bollinger's tasting room, I experienced five types of champagne. PN AYC18 (Aÿ Cru) and PN VZ19 (Verzenay), both made from 100% Pinot Noir, clearly showed the differences in terroir. The Aÿ Cru featured rich fruit aromas and soft tannins, while the Verzenay Cru displayed sharper acidity and prominent mineral notes.

La Grande Année 2014 and 2015 clearly demonstrated the differences between vintages. The 2014 reflected the sharpness and tension of a cool year, while the 2015 displayed richer and softer characteristics.

RD (Récemment Dégorgé) 2008, Bollinger's premium vintage, impressed with its laser-sharp acidity and deep complexity. Citrus, roasted lemon, and the unique aging aromas from long maturation harmonized beautifully.

The Coexistence of Tradition and Innovation
In interviews with the winemaking and R&D teams, I reconfirmed Bollinger's innovative approach. They were experimenting with various clones and varieties to address climate change. However, any innovation is only introduced after more than five years of testing. This is their way of preparing for the future while maintaining Bollinger's style and identity.

Since 2015, they have discontinued the use of herbicides, and some vineyards are managed organically. The winemaking team focuses on practical environmental protection and enhancing wine quality rather than legal certifications.

Champagne for Leaders Who Create Innovation
Bollinger exemplifies the image of a leader who pursues quality in their own way rather than following established paths. Wine is an expression of taste and personality. Choosing Bollinger conveys the message: "I am someone who makes authentic choices."

Indeed, Bollinger's approach is worth noting. It demonstrates the importance of long-term value over short-term profit, quality over quantity, and maintaining essence even in changing environments. Bollinger proves the truth that investing time without reservation ultimately creates greater value.

We all move forward through difficult choices and challenging processes. Bollinger is a champagne suited for those who enjoy challenges. I hope you share moments with Bollinger when you are happy, sad, or facing difficult decisions.

After finishing all meetings, I stood again in front of the Bollinger House. In the sunset to the west, I felt the approaching spring. I hope Bollinger's story helps those who are carving their own path.

W Moments by Jooseok Oh captures experiences encountered through wine. Jooseok Oh, a brand experience designer, is currently the CEO of BARAM Experience. He completed his Ph.D. & DBA in Brand Experience Dimensions Research and serves as a research professor at the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS). He holds WSET Level 3, French Wine Scholar (FWS), and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) certifications.

He connects wine brands and city brands through experiences.

Author of "Cities Beginning with B: Poetic Journeys Through Europe" and co-author and publisher of "Wine Is"

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